Colorado Rockies’ Historic Struggles Raise Serious Questions About Team Direction

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The Colorado Rockies' 2025 season has veered from poor to historically disastrous. After a 21-0 loss to the San Diego Padres on Saturday night at Coors Field, the Rockies dropped to 6-33, tying the 1988 Baltimore Orioles for the worst start through 39 games in Major League Baseball since 1900. This defeat not only solidified their place in the record books for all the wrong reasons but also spotlighted the continued deterioration of a franchise that has failed to remain competitive for several consecutive seasons. San Diego’s offensive outburst featured five home runs, including blasts by Fernando Tatis Jr. and Xander Bogaerts in a decisive fifth inning. Padres pitcher Stephen Kolek threw a complete-game shutout in just his second major league start, delivering the most lopsided shutout win in Padres history. For Colorado, the night was a culmination of a troubling trend: it marked their fourth straight game losing by at least eight runs and their eighth consecutive loss overall. Notably, the Rockies became the first team since the 2021 Orioles to allow ten or more runs in four straight games.

Despite this freefall, Rockies general manager Bill Schmidt expressed confidence in manager Bud Black, who is steering the team through what could become their third straight 100-loss season. “I think our guys are still playing hard,” Schmidt told The Denver Post. “I don’t think we are [at that point of firing Black]. Guys still believe in what we are doing and where we are headed. Nevertheless, the Rockies’ recent performances raise serious questions. With a pitching staff overwhelmed and an offense that has failed to keep pace, the franchise appears directionless. Schmidt emphasized the importance of “growth,” suggesting that development and effort might outweigh results at this stage. However, fans and analysts alike may find that mindset difficult to accept when the team is on pace for one of the worst full-season records in baseball history.

Historical comparisons make the Rockies’ struggles even more stark. Alongside the 1988 Orioles, they now sit among the worst 39-game starts ever, a list that includes the 1952 Pirates and the 1932 Red Sox. The team has not had a winning season since 2018 and shows few signs of reversing that trajectory. In the end, while Schmidt insists the team can turn things around, reality paints a different picture. With roster construction issues, development concerns, and growing fan frustration, the Rockies must do more than merely “battle through it.” If meaningful changes are not implemented soon—either in management, strategy, or player development—this franchise may be headed for not only another 100-loss season but also a complete organizational overhaul.